A Fianna Fáil councillor is calling for a total ban on rickshaws in Dublin city calling them "a public safety danger".

Speaking to Pat Kenny on Newstalk, Cllr Daithi Di Roiste said Dublin City Council drafted a series of by-lines to regulate the use of rickshaws, but primary legislation was needed.

Currently, there is no regulation in effect concerning the operation of rickshaws in Ireland. Minister for Transport Shane Ross confirmed discussions have recently taken place between Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority (NTA), with the two parties agreeing a proposed approach to regulating pedal-powered rickshaws.

Mr Di Roiste said the NTA has the power to bring forward legislation on regulation.

"We need to make that, because they have that power, that they use it, and we put the pressure on them to finally regulate the rickshaws," he said.

He added the lack of regulation is a public safety issue, with some rickshaw drivers partaking in races. An Irish Independent investigation before Christmas found some drivers were also using the services to sell drugs to passengers.

Galway

In 2013, Galway City Councillors voted to ban rickshaws on pedestrianised. While Mr Di Roiste said a similar move in Dublin would be "very welcome", he said the move will bring other problems to the city.

"You're pushing the rickshaws out on to the road", he said. "It's going to cause traffic congestion and when you see the kind of races that are going. I think a total ban is better - I'm not sure just banning pedestrianised areas work."